If you know all you need to know about the VSCs, just click here to join.  Want to know more? There's tons more information at portlandfolkmusic.org/virtual.

By the way, we have a game we play every week at the VSC: Frequently, someone(s) will sing the next ballad from the numbered list of old ballads collected by Francis James Child. This coming Saturday we have "Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane".

Here's the plot: Burd Ellen is weeping. Young Tamlane tells her to rock her son. She tells him to rock the child himself, she has done more than her share. Instead, he goes to sea, with her curse.   Hmm. Interesting.  Jess and Richard Arrowsmith, who know something about all this, commented that "We feel it’s clear that the text published is only a fragment of a longer song, but that adds to its charm as you’re free to imagine your own back story."

We may have several people singing different versions. If you know this at all, or can learn it, feel free to sing any version of this - it's wonderful to have multiple takes on the same song! Or just come and listen.